Easy Mashed Potatoes

Easy Mashed Potatoes

Easy Mashed Potatoes

 

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced ½ inch thick

¾ tsp. table salt, plus salt for cooking potatoes

¾ cup half-and-half

6 T. unsalted butter

½ tsp. pepper

 

Place potatoes and 1 T. salt in large saucepan, add water to cover by 1 inch, and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until potatoes are tender and paring knife can be easily slipped in and out of potatoes, 18 to 22 minutes.  Meanwhile, combine half-and-half and butter in 2-cup liquid measuring cup and microwave, covered, until butter is melted and mixture is warm to touch, about 2 minutes. Drain potatoes and return them to saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring, until potatoes are thoroughly dried, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and, using potato masher, mash potatoes until smooth and no lumps remain. Stir in half-and-half mixture, ¾ tsp. salt, and pepper until fully incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Bella’s Perfect Pancake 6WBM

Bella’s Perfect Pancake 6WBM

½ c. oats
4 egg whites
Dash of cinnamon & vanilla powder

Blend all of the ingredients in a Cuisinart/blender and pour into a non-stick heated skillet that has Pam or whatever spray you use and cook just like a pancake. This makes one large pancake or 3-4 small ones. You can make these ahead of time and just refrigerate.

Chicken with Poblano Cream Sauce

Chicken with Poblano Cream Sauce

1 poblano chile
2 T. canola oil
1/2 small onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

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Roast the chile over a gas burner or under the broiler, until charred all over. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap; let steam for 5 minutes. Rub off the skin; remove seeds and ribs. Chop coarsely. Heat 1 T. of the canola oil in small saucepan over medium heat; add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chile and cream. Puree in a blender; add water if too thick. Season with salt and pepper. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining T. oil in a large skillet over med-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Slice and serve with sauce.

Instant Pot Stovetop-Style Mac n Cheese

Instant Pot Stovetop-Style Mac n Cheese

Instant Pot Stovetop-Style Mac n Cheese

 

3 T. unsalted butter

1 medium onion, finely chopped (optional)

1 pound short pasta, such as shells or elbows

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

2 tightly packed cups shredded Cheddar-jack-mozzarella cheese blend

11⁄4 tightly packed cups shredded Gruyère, sharp Cheddar, or Gouda

1⁄4 cup grated parmesan cheese 1⁄2 cup whole milk

2 tsp. Dijon mustard (optional)

1⁄2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

Fine sea salt

Pinch of paprika (optional)

Add the butter, onion (if using), pasta, and broth to the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Lock on the lid and Pressure Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Release the pressure manually (be careful—it will sputter; cover the valve with a cloth to catch some of the mess).  Open the lid and stir in all the cheese, the milk, mustard (if using), and 1⁄2 tsp. pepper. Add salt to taste.  Let the pasta stand in the cooker on the Keep Warm setting for 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve warm, with a sprinkle of extra pepper and the paprika, if desired.

Cook’s Note:  Bubbly Cheese-Topped Mac: If you like your mac ’n’ cheese full-on in the cheese department, transfer the finished dish to a buttered 2-quart casserole, preheat the broiler and cover the casserole with 4 thin slices sharp Cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix of the two. Place on the lower rack and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Craving a Golden Cracker: If you’re in the crispy bread- crumb topping camp regarding your mac ’n’ cheese, this make-ahead is for you. Preheat the broiler. Combine 1 cup panko bread crumbs with 2 T. melted butter in a small bowl. Spread out on a sheet pan and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Let the crumbs cool completely, then use or store in an airtight container for up to 5 weeks. This topping is great sprinkled over mac ’n’ cheese but also on creamy beans or atop perfect soft-boiled eggs.

Velveeta-free Queso

Velveeta-free Queso

QuesoDip3 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
4 ounces cubed cream cheese
Salt
Pinch ground cayenne pepper
Your favorite salsa (or Rotel)

In a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, stir 3 tablespoons flour into 3 tablespoons melted butter and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in 1 cup heavy cream until smooth, then whisk in 2 cups milk. Simmer gently until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in 2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, 4 ounces cubed cream cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and a pinch ground cayenne pepper. Add in your favorite salsa, about 1 1/2 cups, or to taste.

Grilled Lemongrass Pork Belly

Grilled Lemongrass Pork Belly

Grilled Lemongrass Pork Belly

 

600 grams pork belly (increase to 700 grams if using bone-in pork belly)

 

2 cloves garlic minced

1 shallot peeled and finely chopped

2 large stalks lemongrass minced (peel the outer layers and use only the lower portion of the stalks)

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

1 tsp. light brown sugar

1 T. honey

1 T. light soy sauce (we used Kikkoman)

1 T. fish sauce

1 T. coconut oil

 

2 T. soy sauce

2 T. lime or lemon juice

1 T. white sugar

2 bird’s eye chilies slit and cut up

 

1 to 2 cucumbers

 

Marinate the pork Rinse the pork belly and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Cut into two-inch cubes. Place in a bowl. Using a mortar and pestle ground all the solid ingredients for the marinade to a paste (or use a mini food processor). Stir in the liquid ingredients to make the marinade. Pour the marinade over the pork belly cubes. Mix well. Cover the bowl and keep refrigerated for 24 hours. Cook the pork. Preheat the oven the 475F. Place a rack over a baking tray. Arrange the pork belly cubes on the rack in a single layer. Grill at 475F for 20 minutes or until done and the edges are lightly charred. Prepare the garnish. While the pork cooks, rinse the cucumber and slice into rings. Stir together all the ingredients for the dipping sauce.

Serve the grilled lemongrass pork belly. Arrange the grilled pork on a platter with the cucumber rings and dipping sauce on the side.

Creamy Ranch Chicken

Creamy Ranch Chicken

R080561_jpg_rendition_largest6 slices bacon
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 T. all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat)
2 T. ranch dry salad dressing mix
1-1/4 cups whole milk
3 cups egg noodles
1 T. parmesan cheese

Cut bacon into narrow strips. In a large skillet, cook bacon over med. heat until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels; discard all but 2 T. of drippings. In the same skillet cook chicken in reserved drippings until tender and no longer pink, turning to brown evenly. Sprinkle flour and salad dressing mix over the chicken in the skillet; stir well. Stir in milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Stir in bacon. Meanwhile, cook noodles to package directions. Serve chicken and sauce over noodles, sprinkle with parmesan. Serves 4.

Sweet Potato & Zucchini Fritters

Sweet Potato & Zucchini Fritters

Sweet Potato & Zucchini Fritters

 

2 C. shredded zucchini (2 small or 1 large zucchini)

1 C. shredded sweet potato (1 small, peeled)

1/3 C. finely chopped onion

1 and 1/2 tsp. salt

2 large eggs

1 heaping tsp. minced garlic

2 T. chopped parsley

2 T. chopped fresh mint

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/3 C. cornmeal

1 T. cornstarch

1/3 C. olive oil

 

Place the shredded zucchini, sweet potato, and onion in a large strainer. Top with 1 tsp. salt and mix it around with a large wooden spoon. Press down with your hands to begin draining some of the water from the vegetables. Let that sit in the sink for a few minutes. Meanwhile, line a large bowl with paper towels or a clean dish towel (easier to use a towel!). Place the vegetable mixture in the bowl and top with more paper towels or fold over the dish towel. Begin pressing down; you need to get out as much liquid as possible. Grab more paper towels or a new dish towel as needed. Note: you can also simply wring out the vegetables in the dish towel over the sink. Just keep wringing! Let the vegetables sit in the towels for 45 minutes, then press again. The goal is to remove as much moisture as possible. Otherwise, the fritters will be soggy. You will be amazed how much water you wring out! Whisk the eggs together in a large bowl. Once beaten, whisk in the garlic, parsley, mint, remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, and pepper. Fold in the vegetables, then add the cornmeal and cornstarch until everything is combined. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, use a fork to scoop up around 2 T. of the zucchini mixture (I always eyeball the amount). There may be liquid pooling in the bottom of the bowl, so make sure you use a fork so the excess liquid isn’t in your fritter. Place the mixture onto the hot skillet and flatten with a spatula. Repeat with a few more, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate until finished. Reheat by placing on a lined baking sheet under the broiler for a couple minutes. Freeze fritters for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as directed before.

Guacamole Salad with Black Beans & Corn

Guacamole Salad with Black Beans & Corn

2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 cup red onion, sliced very thinly
2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
Kernels from 2 ears of fresh corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Juice of 1-2 limes
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
2 avocados, seeded, peeled and diced

In a large bowl, place tomatoes, onion, jalapenos, corn, and beans. Squeeze over the juice of 1 (very juicy) or 2 (somewhat stingy) limes, drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss gently. Taste for seasoning. When ready to serve, gently fold in avocados.

(I made up a big batch for the fridge and just left out the avocado. I slice it and add it in when we’re ready to eat.)

Middle Eastern Green Sauce

Middle Eastern Green Sauce

Middle Eastern Green Sauce

 

This traditional hot green, herby condiment is served in little jars at my favorite falafel joint. Slather into a pita with hummus and tomatoes or a little grilled lamb, or on fried eggs and hash browns, or to brighten a yankee pot roast.

 

1 tsp. cumin seeds

1 tsp. coriander seeds

Leaves from 1 small bunch parsley

Leaves and tender stems from 1 small bunch cilantro

2 serrano or jalapeno chiles

3 garlic cloves

6 scallions

1/2 tsp. salt

¼ C. olive oil

 

Toast the cumin and coriander seeds in a small dry pan over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Coarsely grind in a spice mill or with a mortar and pestle. Coarsely chop the parsley, cilantro, chiles, garlic, and scallions. Pulse with the salt in a food processor or blender until you have a rough puree. Transfer the herb puree to a bowl and stir in the ground spices and olive oil. This is best the day it is made.

Vinegar Glossed Chicken

Vinegar Glossed Chicken

mh_1018_vinegar_chicken_vert1 cup best-quality red-wine vinegar
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary (about 1 tablespoon minced)
5 1/2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup chicken broth, plus more as needed

At least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours before cooking, combine the vinegar, garlic, and rosemary to marinate. Thoroughly season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat a 14-inch skillet (or two smaller skillets) over high heat and swirl in enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the skillet. Place the chicken in the skillet, skin side down. Don’t crowd the chicken; leave space around each piece. Work in batches if necessary. You should hear an immediate sizzle when the chicken pieces hit the pan. Don’t move them; it takes a couple of minutes to sear the chicken so it doesn’t stick. Brown all sides; this will take 10 minutes per batch. Regulate the heat so it stays high but does not burn the chicken. Place all the browned chicken back in the skillet. Add the chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Lower the heat, simmer, and reduce for 15 to 20 minutes. Increase the heat to high and pour in the vinegar mixture. Swirl the pan and stir around as the vinegar evaporates to form a simmering glaze, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately or refrigerate, and reheat with some extra broth.

One Pan Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Asparagus

One Pan Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Asparagus

One Pan Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken with Asparagus

 

4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed

½ tsp. pepper, divided

8 thin slices prosciutto (4 ounces), divided

5 T. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

4 thin slices fontina cheese (4 ounces), divided

2 pounds asparagus, trimmed

2½ T. white wine vinegar

2 T. toasted chopped pecans

1½ tsp. Dijon mustard

1 small shallot, sliced thin

1 tsp. minced fresh thyme

Pinch table salt

 

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Pound thicker end of chicken breasts between 2 sheets of plastic wrap to uniform ½-inch thickness. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and sprinkle with pepper. Slightly overlap 2 prosciutto slices on cutting board, lay chicken breast in center, and fold prosciutto over chicken. Repeat with remaining prosciutto and chicken.  Heat 1 T. oil in 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook chicken until prosciutto is lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to cutting board and top with fontina. Add half of asparagus to now-empty skillet with tips pointed in 1 direction and add remaining asparagus with tips pointed in opposite direction. Using tongs, toss asparagus with 1 T. oil, then redistribute spears in even layer. Arrange chicken breasts on top of asparagus and bake until chicken registers 160 degrees and asparagus is tender and bright green, about 12 minutes. Using potholders, remove skillet from oven. Whisk remaining 3 T. oil, vinegar, pecans, mustard, shallot, thyme, and salt in bowl until thoroughly combined. Being careful of hot skillet handle, transfer chicken to cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Toss asparagus with half of dressing. Serve chicken with asparagus, passing remaining dressing separately.

Fried Zucchini Spaghetti

Fried Zucchini Spaghetti

NEW5gwynfood-3201 pound small zucchini, very thinly sliced crosswise (but thicker than paper thin or they will just burn)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 pound spaghetti
1 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
1/2 cup torn basil leaves
Freshly ground pepper
Lemon wedges, for serving

In a medium bowl, toss the zucchini with the flour and a pinch of salt. In a very large skillet, heat half of the oil until shimmering. Add half of the zucchini and fry over high heat, turning once or twice, until browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the zucchini to a paper towel–lined wire rack and season with salt. Repeat with the remaining oil and zucchini. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid. Return the pasta to the pot and toss with the 1 cup of cheese, the basil and a generous pinch of pepper. Add the reserved pasta water a little at a time, tossing well to coat. Transfer the pasta to a bowl and top with the crispy zucchini. Serve right away with lemon wedges and additional cheese.

Instant Pot Pickled Vegetables

Instant Pot Pickled Vegetables

Instant Pot Pickled Vegetables

 

This is a reminder that just about any vegetable—from cucumbers to beets to cauliflower—can be pickled quickly and used to brighten up otherwise humdrum meals. What you’re doing here is making a super-fast but potent pickling liquid (a strong brine) in the pressure cooker, then pouring it over cleaned and trimmed vegetables that have been packed into glass jars. The pickling happens fast in the intimate quarters of the jars, with a little extra time to cure in the refrigerator. Use this quick-pickling trick throughout the seasons (if opting for beets, steam and peel them first)

 

2 cups distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar

½ cup sugar

2 T. pickling spices, such as whole cloves, allspice berries, black peppercorns, or mustard seeds

2 bay leaves

1½ T. kosher salt

1 or 2 sprigs fresh herbs, such as dill, rosemary, or cilantro, plus more for serving

1½ pounds fresh vegetables, trimmed, such as whole green beans, cauliflower florets, small carrots, or pickling cucumbers, halved lengthwise

 

Combine 8 cups water with the vinegar, sugar, pickling spices, bay leaves, salt, and herbs in the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Lock on the lid and Pressure Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes. Release the pressure manually and open the lid. Pack the vegetables into two clean 1-pint canning jars or airtight containers and fill with the brine, leaving ½ inch of headspace. Discard the extra brine (or use it to quickly pickle a sliced red onion). Let the jars cool completely before refrigerating for up to 1 month. Serve cold or at room temperature, adding fresh-chopped herbs, if desired, before serving. Note: For a little heat in your pickle add a jalapeno pepper, sliced in rounds to the pickling liquid before cooking.

Spinach Risotto with Roquefort

Spinach Risotto with Roquefort

Light cooking tip: Give a dish pungent flavor without a lot of fat by adding a little bit of rich, high-quality cheese. Notes: Cary Neff, executive chef at Miraval Life in Balance Resort and Spa near Tucson, describes a healthful style of cooking in his book, Conscious Cuisine (Sourcebooks, Naperville, IL, 2002). This green risotto is adapted from one of his recipes. Serve it with grilled salmon or chicken breasts or increase the portion size and make it an entrée.

1/2 cup chopped onion risotto-su-642315-x
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup arborio or other short- or medium-grain white rice
3 to 4 cups hot spinach broth
1 tablespoon Roquefort or other blue cheese
Sea or kosher salt
Fresh-ground pepper
Finely shredded lemon peel (optional)

In a 2- to 3-quart nonstick pan over medium-high heat, mix onion, garlic, and olive oil. Add rice and stir until onion is barely limp, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup spinach broth and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to maintain simmer and stir until liquid is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 more cups broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring after each addition until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender but still has a slight bite, 20 to 25 minutes total. If rice isn’t quite done, add more broth and stir until risotto is creamy. Crumble cheese into risotto and stir until blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with lemon peel.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 139
Fat: 1.3g
Fiber: 2.8g

Impossibly Easy Lasagne Pie

Impossibly Easy Lasagne Pie

lasagne pie

 

1/3 cup ricotta cheese or small curd creamed cottage cheese
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
1/2 cup spaghetti sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Additional spaghetti sauce, heated, if desired

Heat oven to 400ºF. Grease 9-inch pie plate. Spread ricotta cheese in pie plate; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cook ground beef until brown; drain. Stir in 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce and the salt; spoon evenly over cheeses. Stir Bisquick mix, milk and eggs until blended. Pour into pie plate. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until melted. Cool 5 minutes. Serve with additional spaghetti sauce.

Instant Pot Creamed Mexican Sweet Corn

Instant Pot Creamed Mexican Sweet Corn

Instant Pot Creamed Mexican Sweet Corn

 

6 ears fresh corn, kernels scraped, or 6 cups frozen corn kernels (from 2 [16-ounce] bags)

¾ cup water

1 small shallot, minced

2 tsp. cornstarch

2 T. unsalted butter

1 tsp. fine sea salt

1 cup half-and-half or almond-milk creamer

½ cup grated parmesan, plus extra for serving

 

Freshly cracked black peppercorns

Cayenne

1 firm-ripe avocado, peeled and quartered (optional)

Lime wedges

 

Place the corn kernels, water, shallot, cornstarch, butter, and salt in the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Lock on the lid and Pressure Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Let the steam release naturally.  Open the lid and stir in the half-and-half and parmesan. Cook further on the Sauté setting to thicken the cream if desired, about 2 minutes. 3. Serve the creamy corn warm, sprinkled with black pepper and cayenne, topped with the avocado, and with a lime wedge on the side.

Spinach Broth

Spinach Broth

1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups packed rinsed spinach leaves
4 cups vegetable stock or canned vegetable broth
About 1/2 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a 2- to 3-quart pan over medium-high heat, stir onion and garlic in extra-virgin olive oil until onion is barely limp, 2 to 3 minutes. Add spinach leaves and stir just until wilted, about 1 minute. Add vegetable stock, or use canned broth. Purée mixture, one half at a time, in a blender (hold top down with a towel). Return to pan and bring to a simmer. Add sea or kosher salt and pepper.

Braised Turnips, Chestnuts, and Apples

Braised Turnips, Chestnuts, and Apples

Braised Turnips, Chestnuts, and Apples

 

3 medium turnips, cut into wedges

3 large apples, cored and cut into wedges

2 red onions, julienned

4 garlic cloves, minced

Extra virgin olive oil

12 ounces roasted or cooked chestnuts

6 thyme sprigs

1 rosemary sprig

½ C. dry white wine

1 C. chicken broth

2 tsp. tomato paste

1 T. honey

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Garnish: toasted pumpkin seeds and fried sage leaves

 

Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, lightly coated with evoo over medium heat. Brown turnips, apples, and red onions in batches, for 5 to 7 minutes, until caramelized and deep brown. Add garlic to the last batch, and continue cooking until soft and fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add all vegetables back to the pan, plus chestnuts, thyme, rosemary, white wine, and chicken broth. Add tomato paste and honey; stir to coat all ingredients. Transfer vegetables to an ovenproof casserole dish with a tight fitting lid. Cover and place in a 325°F oven. Braise for 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender and the braising liquid has been absorbed. Uncover and return pan back to the oven for 10 minutes more. Before serving, remove thyme and rosemary stems. Garnish with Fried Sage Leaves and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds.

Pigs in a Blanket with Cranberry-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Pigs in a Blanket with Cranberry-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Rich, crispy puff pastry makes an elegant wrapper for cocktail franks, and the easy sauce of cranberry and Dijon mustard is a wonderful seasonal accompaniment.

pigs1 (14-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed but very cold
All-purpose flour for rolling dough
1 (12-ounce) package (about 28) cocktail franks
1 large egg whisked with 1 teaspoon water
3/4 cup prepared cranberry sauce
1/4 cup Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unwrap puff pastry and place on a well-floured surface. Pass a rolling pin over the pastry a few times to even out any bumps and make it just slightly thinner. Using a sharp knife or pizza wheel, cut into 3-inch-wide strips, then cut each strip into 1½-inch sections. You’ll need 28 pieces. (You may not need all the pastry; you can refreeze what you don’t use.) Wrap each cocktail frank in a strip, rolling it so just the tips of the franks stick out. Use your fingers to moisten the edge of the pastry with a little water and press gently to seal the edges. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet and freeze for 10 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Brush the tops of the pastry with egg whisked with water. Bake until dough is puffed and deeply browned, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, combine cranberry sauce, mustard and 3 tablespoons water in a blender until very smooth. Serve the cocktail franks warm with the cranberry sauce on the side for dipping. Note: You can make and freeze the pigs up to a month ahead if you like; leave them unbaked on the baking sheet in the freezer until completely frozen (1 to 2 hours) and then transfer to a freezer bag or container. Brush with egg wash and bake right from their frozen state.

Yield: 8 servings (3 pieces each)
Calories: 260
Fat: 16g
Fiber: 1g

Mango & Jicama Salad with Habanero Vinaigrette

Mango & Jicama Salad with Habanero Vinaigrette

Light cooking tip: Start with ingredients that are naturally low in fat, and spice them up with low-fat seasonings (chilies have a lot of power in this department). Notes: Executive chef Marc Lippman at Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos, Mexico, created this stylish salad. If mangoes aren’t available, substitute peeled fresh pineapple. Cut the fruit and jicama into same-size slices and stack them.

2 firm-ripe mangoes (1 1/4 lb. each) mango-salad-su-642317-x
1 jicama (about 1 1/2 lb.)
Habanero vinaigrette (recipe follows)
1 cup fresh cilantro, Italian parsley, and/or mint leaves, rinsed and crisped
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

With a small, sharp knife, peel mangoes. One at a time, set fruit on one narrow edge on a board and cut 1/8-inch-thick slices off each side down to the pit. Save remaining fruit around pits for another use. Cut peel off jicama and discard. Lay jicama on board, flattest side down, and cut into 1/8-inch-thick ovals. Trim slices, if necessary, to match size of mango slices, about 2 by 4 inches. Pour habanero vinaigrette into a rimmed plate. Dip a jicama slice in dressing, turning to coat and letting excess drain back into plate; set jicama on a separate plate. Lay a mango slice on top (if slices aren’t perfect, fit pieces together to cover). Repeat to stack a total of four jicama and four mango slices. Coat remaining jicama slices and layer with mango slices to make three more servings. Drizzle remaining dressing equally over stacks. In a small bowl, mix cilantro with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Mound equally on stacks.

Habanero Vinaigrette: Rinse 1 fresh habanero chili (about 1/4 oz.). Wearing rubber gloves, stem, seed, devein, and finely mince chili; you should have about 1 1/2 tablespoons. In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of the minced chili, 1/3 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. With a small, sharp knife, cut ends off 2 limes (3 oz. each); cut off peel, including white pith. Holding limes over bowl of dressing, cut between membranes and fruit to release segments and drop them into bowl. Mix gently and add salt and more chili to taste, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 186
Fat: 5.2g
Fiber: 9g

Immune Booster for Winter

Immune Booster for Winter

Immune Booster for Winter

 

2 tomatoes

1 celery stalk

2 cloves garlic

1/2 inch piece of turmeric root

1 small beetroot

1/2 cucumber

Juice of 1 lemon

 

Juice all of the ingredients, including the garlic, through your juicer. It is recommended to wash your juicer immediately to remove all traces of garlic. Otherwise every juice you make for the next week will have a garlic hint.

Pizza in a Bowl

Pizza in a Bowl

pizzabowl2 cups dried corkscrew macaroni
1 3 1/2-ounce package thinly sliced pepperoni
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 15 -ounce can pizza sauce
1 8 -ounce can tomato sauce
1 6 -ounce can tomato paste
1/2teaspoon sugar
1/8teaspoon pepper
1/8teaspoon garlic salt
1/8teaspoon onion salt
1 8 -ounce package shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Cook the macaroni according to the package directions, except omit the salt; drain. Meanwhile, cut half of the pepperoni slices in quarters; set aside. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender; drain off fat. Stir in pizza sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, pepper, garlic salt, and onion salt. Stir in the cooked macaroni and quartered pepperoni slices. Spoon half of the macaroni mixture into a 2-quart casserole; sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and remaining pepperoni slices. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven about 40 minutes or until heated through and cheese is lightly browned. Makes 6 servings

Grilled Salmon Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Grilled Salmon Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

You may as well call this an “antioxidant salad,” because in addition to bursting with summery colors and flavors, it’s full of phytonutrient rich produce like raspberries, soybeans, and tomatoes.

1/4 cup walnut halves (1 oz.) salmon-salad-su-642320-x
12 asparagus spears (8 to 10 oz. total) or broccoli florets (1 in. wide and 3 in. long)
4 pieces (4 oz. each) boned salmon fillet
Spice rub (recipe follows)
3 heads (8 oz. each) Belgian endive
2 cups mixed baby salad greens, rinsed and crisped
1 dozen cherry tomatoes (1 in. wide; 8 oz. total), rinsed, stemmed, and halved
1/2 cup chopped red onion
Raspberry vinaigrette (recipe follows)
1 cup raspberries, rinsed
1/2 cup shelled cooked fresh or thawed frozen soybeans (see notes)
4 pumpernickel rolls

Bake nuts in a 9-inch pie or cake pan in a 350° regular or convection oven until golden beneath skins, shaking pan once, 7 to 9 minutes. Meanwhile, in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over high heat, bring about 1 inch water to a boil. Rinse asparagus and snap off tough stem ends. Add asparagus or broccoli to pan and boil, uncovered, until bright green and barely tender when pierced, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water until cold. Rinse salmon and pat dry. Coat flesh sides equally with all the spice rub. Lay fish, coated side down, on a grill over hot coals or high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 2 to 3 seconds); close lid on gas grill. Cook fish, turning once, until opaque but still moist-looking in center of thickest part (cut to test), 7 to 9 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Rinse Belgian endive; trim off and discard discolored ends. Set aside 12 leaves; cut remaining leaves crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide slices and place in a bowl. Add salad greens, tomatoes, onion, and 1/4 cup raspberry vinaigrette; mix gently. Arrange asparagus and whole endive leaves equally around edges of plates. Mound salad mixture equally in center of plates; top with warm salmon. Sprinkle servings equally with walnuts, raspberries, and soybeans. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the top. Serve with pumpernickel rolls.

Spice rub: In a blender, whirl 1 tablespoon each coriander seeds and fennel seeds and 1 1/2 teaspoons each dried thyme and black peppercorns until finely ground. Makes about 3 tablespoons.

Raspberry vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons raspberry vinegar, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon walnut oil (optional), and 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 571
Fat: 28g
Fiber:13g

Spinach-Mushroom-Sausage Pierogi Bake

Spinach-Mushroom-Sausage Pierogi Bake

p_RU1994051 16 -ounce package frozen potato pierogies
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cooked chicken sausages, sliced (12 ounces total)
1 8 -ounce package sliced button mushrooms
1 clove garlic, minced
1 10 -ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 3 -ounce package cream cheese, cut up
1/4cup chicken broth
1/2teaspoon salt
1/4teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2cup shredded mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)

Place the frozen pierogies in a 2-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside. In a large saucepan cook the onion in hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes or until just tender. Stir in the sliced sausage, mushrooms and garlic. Cook and stir 3 minutes more. Add the spinach, cream cheese, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat to melt cream cheese. Pour the sausage mixture over the pierogies in the baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, in a 400 degrees F oven about 30 minutes or until lightly browned and heated through.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 339
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 2g

Grilled Portabellas with Couscous

Grilled Portabellas with Couscous

Light Cooking Tip: Healthy whole-grain foods tend to be slightly darker than their more processed counterparts; set them off with vivid color to increase appeal. Notes: Executive chef Michel Stroot at the Golden Door in Escondido, California, fills grilled portabella mushrooms with whole-wheat couscous and rings them with bright red and yellow bell pepper sauces (you can use just one color if you like). He tops them with grilled asparagus; green onions work well in the winter.

4 portabella mushroom caps (4 to 5 in. wide, 4 to 6 oz. each) portabellas-su-642312-x
8 green onions
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice
4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
3/4 cup vegetable stock (or used canned broth)
1/2 cup whole-wheat couscous
2 tablespoons minced parsley or fresh basil leaves
About 1 cup pepper coulis
Salt

Trim off and discard any stems from mushroom caps; gently rinse caps and drain well. Rinse green onions; trim off and discard ends. In a small bowl, mix olive oil and lemon juice. Brush smooth sides of mushroom caps and the green onions with oil mixture. Lay mushrooms, smooth side down, and green onions on a grill over hot coals or high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level only 2 to 3 seconds); close lid if using a gas barbecue. Turn onions as needed until lightly browned on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes total. With tongs, transfer to a plate. Cook mushrooms without turning until they are limp and begin to release their juices, 3 to 5 minutes. With a wide spatula, transfer, smooth side down, to a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. Drizzle mushrooms evenly with vinegar and sprinkle with pepper. Add 1/4 cup vegetable stock to pan. Cover and bake in a 300° regular or convection oven until hot, 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a 1- to 2-quart pan over high heat, bring remaining 1/2 cup stock to a boil. Stir in couscous. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork. If it seems too dry, stir in 3 to 5 tablespoons liquid from mushroom caps. Stir in parsley. Set mushrooms, smooth side down, on plates. Top equally with couscous. Spoon pepper coulis equally around mushrooms and garnish with green onions. Add salt to taste.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 220
Fat: 8.4g
Fiber: 4.5g

Charred Tomato Vinaigrette

Charred Tomato Vinaigrette

Notes: Instructor-chef John Vollertsen of the Vista Clara Ranch Resort & Spa in Galisteo, New Mexico, created this mildly sweet and tangy dressing to add a bit of zip to greens. You can make it up to 3 days ahead; cover and chill.

4 Roma tomatoes (12 oz. total)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
About 1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon firmly packed brown sugar
4 fresh basil leaves (each 2 in. long), rinsed, or 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Pepper

Rinse and core tomatoes; cut in half lengthwise. Set halves, cut side up, in a 9-inch cake pan. Brush cut sides with a total of 2 teaspoons oil. Sprinkle evenly with granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake in a 400° regular or convection oven until tomatoes are browned, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool. In a blender, whirl tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, remaining 4 teaspoons olive oil, brown sugar, and basil until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

NOT Hamburger Helper

NOT Hamburger Helper

1 lb. ground beef
1 box penne pasta
1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup cream
4 oz. grated cheddar
salt and pepper

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return it to the pot. Add the milk, cream, and cheese and stir to melt the cheese completely. Season with salt and pepper. Add the meat to the pasta, check for seasonings.

Egg & Vegetable Wrap

Egg & Vegetable Wrap

Light cooking tip: Cook vegetables briefly, to keep them crisp, and combine many for a variety of flavors and textures. Use refrigerated egg substitute or all egg whites instead of whole eggs to cut saturated fat in scrambles. Notes: This colorful wrap from executive chef Guido Ulmann at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa in Honolulu makes a great brunch, lunch, or light supper entrée. He uses red or green tortillas, but any kind of the same size will do.

8 ounces firm tofu egg-wrap-su-642319-x
2 Roma tomatoes (6 oz. total)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup thinly slivered zucchini (1/4 in. by 3 in.)
1 cup thinly slivered red bell pepper (1/4 in. by 3 in.)
1 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 cup thinly sliced spinach leaves
1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
1 1/2 cups pasteurized egg product (such as Egg Beaters) or egg whites
Salt and pepper
4 flour tortillas (10 in. wide; see notes)
2 cups mixed baby salad greens (about 2 oz.), rinsed and crisped
1/2 to 1 cup marinara sauce, purchased or homemade, heated

Rinse tofu and cut into 1/2-inch cubes; drain well and gently pat dry. Rinse and core tomatoes; halve lengthwise, then slice lengthwise. Set a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan over high heat. When hot, add oil, zucchini, and bell pepper; stir often for 1 minute. Add tofu and tomatoes and stir until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add green onions, spinach, and basil; stir until wilted, about 1 minute. Add egg product and stir just until softly set, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile, wrap tortillas in plastic wrap and heat in a microwave oven on full power (100%) just until steaming, 30 to 45 seconds. Spoon a fourth of the vegetable-egg mixture along one side of each tortilla, about 1 inch from front and to within 1 inch of side edges. Fold front edge over filling, then roll up tightly like a burrito. Cut each wrap in half diagonally or into fourths and set on a dinner plate. Garnish with salad greens and hot marinara sauce, or offer sauce to add to taste.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 391
Fat: 14g
Fiber: 4.5g

Carino’s Chicken Milano

Carino’s Chicken Milano

ffbc133e09582e8367db5a9da7b321d44 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 thin slices ham
1/2 cup shredded cheese- provolone or mozzarella
12 leaves fresh basil
2 T. olive oil
Salt and pepper

Prepare your chicken by making “pockets” for the filling: Holding chicken flat on your cutting board with palm of one hand, make an incision in thicker side of each breast with a paring knife. Carefully pivot the knife to create a deep pocket, keeping the other side of the chicken breast intact. If you do what I did and poke a hole in the bottom of the chicken, simply layer in your ham first so the cheese doesn’t ooze out. Fill the pocket with one slice of ham, about 2 tbs cheese, and 3 basil leaves. Fill each chicken breast and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and cook until browned on both sides, 6 to 7 minutes per side. Cover skillet, and continue cooking until chicken is opaque throughout and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 160 degrees. about 5 minutes more. When your chicken is finished cooking, you will be left with a beautiful pan full of browned bits and lots of goodness. Feel free to add a 1/2 cup of chicken stock or white wine to that pan and let it bubble and reduce a bit and then spoon it over the chicken.

Mixed Beans with Hoisin Vinaigrette

Mixed Beans with Hoisin Vinaigrette

mixed-beans-su-642318-xLight cooking tip: Combine several legumes – a low-fat source of protein – for layers of flavor. Notes: Executive chef Reed Groban of Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona uses hoisin sauce to add zest to beans. The sauce is available in most well-stocked supermarkets.

6 ounces green beans
1 red bell pepper (about 6 oz.)
1 tablespoon Asian (toasted) sesame oil
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 cup cooked dried garbanzos or canned garbanzos (rinsed and drained)
1 cup cooked dried small white beans or canned beans (rinsed and drained)
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
Hoisin vinaigrette (recipe follows)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Rinse green beans and trim off stem ends; cut beans into about 3-inch lengths. Rinse, stem, and seed bell pepper; cut lengthwise into thin slivers about 3 inches long. Set a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium-high heat. When pan is hot, add green beans and 3 tablespoons water; cover and cook until beans are bright green, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon sesame oil, bell pepper, and garlic; stir until pepper begins to soften, about 2 minutes. Add garbanzos, white beans, green onions, and hoisin vinaigrette. Stir until garbanzos and white beans are hot, about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil. Pour into a serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro. Hoisin vinaigrette. In a blender or food processor, whirl 1/3 cup rice vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons water, and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger until smooth. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 137
Fat: 3.2g
Fiber: 3.9g

Janna’s French Bread

Janna’s French Bread

DSC_00013 1/2 cups Bread Flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 T. olive oil
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 package of active-dry yeast
1 T. sugar

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and oil. In a large measuring cup, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Set it aside to get foamy and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Add to the dry ingredients and mix well. (You can also do this in your stand mixer.) Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board. Knead the dough by hand for about 5 minutes, until smooth. Return the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about 1 hour.  Preheat oven to 375. Punch down the dough and shape into loaves (however many you’re making. We prefer 1 big one). Place on a baking sheet and bake 25-30 minutes, until beautifully browned on top and sounds hollow when tapped. Let rest about 5-10 minutes before slicing and devouring.

Chicken with Fig Sauce

Chicken with Fig Sauce

Light cooking tip: Use dried fruit as the base for a flavorful sauce for braised poultry. Notes: John C. Klock, M.D., of Holistica Hawaii Preventative Medicine Center teaches clients how to cook healthfully with dishes like this chicken.

6 dried Black Mission figs
1 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon dry mustard
4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves (4 to 6 oz. each)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion (about 8 oz.), peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/3 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Thinly sliced fresh chives
Salt and pepper

Cut figs into quarters and place in a small bowl; cover with hot water and soak until soft, about 15 minutes. Lift figs from liquid and place in a blender or food processor. Add 1/3 cup of the soaking liquid (discard remainder) and the broth, coriander, and dry mustard; whirl until smooth. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Set a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan over high heat. When hot, add 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil and tilt pan to coat bottom. Add chicken in a single layer and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and onion; stir often until onion is limp and beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add flour and stir to coat onion. Add fig mixture and stir until boiling. Return chicken to pan. Cover and simmer over low heat until chicken is no longer pink in center of thickest part (cut to test), 5 to 7 minutes. With tongs, transfer chicken to plates. Stir sherry into sauce. If desired for a smoother sauce, pour through a fine strainer into a bowl. Spoon sauce equally over chicken, then drizzle each portion with 1 tablespoon vinegar. Sprinkle with chives and add salt and pepper to taste.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 255
Fat: 5.2g
Fiber: 2.2g

Cheddar & Scallion Popovers

Cheddar & Scallion Popovers

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 scallions, trimmed and chopped.

Spray muffin pan and heat oven to 450. In bowl, whisk together flour and salt. In second bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Add to flour mix; stir until just combined, blended. Fold in cheese and scallions. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 and bake 10-15 minutes, until browned and puffed. KEEP OVEN CLOSED UNTIL END OF BAKING TIME. Remove popovers from oven and immediately remove from pan. Pierce sides once with knife to release steam. Serve warm

Halibut Steamed with Ginger, Orange & Lime

Halibut Steamed with Ginger, Orange & Lime

Take some light cooking cues from a spa chef and steam halibut, or another mild white fish, over a fragrant broth made with orange juice, a splash of lime, and fresh ginger. Once the fish is cooked, the sauce is reduced and thickened with cornstarch. Also combine fresh and dry versions of an ingredient – fresh and ground ginger, for instance – to intensify the flavor.

ginger-halibut-su-637678-x

3 cups orange juice
1/3 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon ground ginger
4 pieces (4 oz. each) boned, skinned halibut fillet
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
Salt
Cayenne
Asian chili oil (optional)
Thin shreds lime peel (green part only)

In the bottom of an 11- to 12-inch-wide steamer or in a deep 5- to 6-quart pan, combine orange juice, lime juice, and ground ginger. Set a nonstick or oiled rack at least 1 inch above surface of juice (elevate, if necessary, on the rim of a cheesecake pan or three clean, empty 2- to 3-in.-tall cans with both ends removed). Cover pan and bring juice to a boil over high heat. Rinse fish. Set pieces slightly apart on rack over boiling juice; cover pan and reduce heat to medium. Steam until fish is barely opaque but still moist-looking in center of thickest part (cut to test), 8 to 10 minutes. Lift out rack. With a wide spatula, lift fish from rack and set on a warm plate; cover to keep warm. Increase heat to high and boil pan juices, uncovered, until reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, 10 to 12 minutes. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water. Add mixture, along with fresh ginger, to reduced pan juices; stir until boiling. Add salt and cayenne to taste. Divide sauce evenly among four dinner plates. Lay a piece of fish in sauce on each plate. Garnish each portion with a few drops of chili oil and shreds of lime peel.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 226

Fat: 2.8g

Fiber: .4g

 

Rice Salad with Merguez and Preserved Lemon Dressing

Rice Salad with Merguez and Preserved Lemon Dressing

fw200708_ricesalad1 cup jasmine rice

1 1/2 cups water

Salt

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 preserved lemon, rind only, minced (see Note)

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon harissa

3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 fennel bulb, cored and finely diced

1/3 cup pitted Picholine olives, chopped (2 ounces)

1 pound merguez sausage, cut into 3/4 inch-thick slices

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley

 

In a medium saucepan, combine the rice with the water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, cover and cook over low heat until the rice is tender, about 18 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and transfer to a medium bowl. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk all but 1 teaspoon of the olive oil with the lemon juice, preserved lemon, garlic, harissa and cumin. Pour the dressing over the rice and toss well. Add the fennel and olives and season lightly with salt. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add the merguez sausage and cook over moderately high heat, stirring once or twice, until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to the salad. Stir in the tomatoes and parsley and serve.

 

Make Ahead The rice salad can be prepared several hours ahead and served at room temperature. Notes Preserved lemons are a common Moroccan ingredient made from lemons that have been preserved in lemon juice and salt for several days, until very soft. Look for them at specialty food shops.

French Toast Bake

French Toast Bake

ft1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar
1 loaf Texas toast
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Melt butter in microwave & add brown sugar; stir till mixed. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan; spread around. Beat eggs, milk, & vanilla. Lay single layer of Texas Toast in pan Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer. Add 2nd layer of Texas Toast. Spoon remaining egg mixture over bread. Cover & chill in fridge overnight. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes (covered for the first 30 minutes). Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with warm maple syrup.

Pepper Coulis

Pepper Coulis

Notes: Executive chef Michel Stroot at the Golden Door uses red and yellow pepper coulis side by side in plate presentations to add color, moisture, texture, and flavor. If you’re in a hurry, instead of roasting fresh peppers, you can use 1 1/4 cups rinsed, drained canned roasted peppers. You can make the coulis ahead of time; cover and chill up to 3 days or freeze up to 6 months.

“Be sure to eat a variety of foods to keep your palette interested.”

coulis

1 red or yellow bell pepper (about 10 oz.)
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon olive oil
salt to taste
cayenne pepper to taste

Rinse 1 red or yellow bell pepper (about 10 oz.); pat dry. Set pepper in a 9-inch pie or cake pan and broil 3 to 4 inches from heat, turning as needed, until charred on all sides, about 15 minutes total. Let cool. With a small, sharp knife, remove and discard skin, stem, and seeds. Coarsely chop pepper and place in a blender or food processor. Add 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon olive oil; whirl until smooth. Add salt and cayenne to taste. If coulis is thicker than desired, thin with 1 to 2 more tablespoons water.

Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size: ¼ C.
Calories: 26
Fat: 1.2g
Fiber: .9g

Sticky Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Honey

Sticky Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Honey

BBC Food Website (27th February 2012)1 T. black peppercorns
2 lemons, juice only
Good squeeze or two of runny honey
Dollop grainy mustard
2 garlic cloves, crushed
6 large chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
Sea salt, to taste
2-3 preserved lemons
Handful green olives, pits removed, sliced
Small handful fresh flatleaf parsley, leaves only

Preheat the oven at 200C/400F/Gas 6. Place the peppercorns into a pestle and mortar and grind until roughly crushed. Add these to a large bowl together with the lemon juice, honey, mustard and garlic and mix well. Place the chicken thighs into a large roasting tin and pour the lemon and honey mixture over the chicken, leaving it to marinate for as long as possible. Sprinkle with sea salt, to taste, then cook in the hot oven for 45 minutes, turning halfway through cooking so that the thighs become lovely and sticky. Meanwhile, cut the preserved lemons open and remove the soft flesh to leave you with just the skin (discard the flesh). Cut the skin into strips and toss together with the olives and parsley. When the chicken is ready, serve sprinkled with the olive, parsley and preserved lemon mixture.

Vegetable Stock

Vegetable Stock

Notes: A fresh vegetable broth or stock is a staple for most spa kitchens. This all-purpose version comes from executive chef Cary Neff at Miraval Life in Balance Resort and Spa. Cool, cover, and chill it up to 1 week or freeze up to 6 months.


“remember, there are no bad foods, just bad portion sizes and frequency of consumption”

1 leek (about 12 oz.)
3 onions (1 1/2 lb. total), peeled and chopped
3 carrots (12 oz. total), scrubbed and chopped
2 stalks celery (4 oz. total), rinsed and chopped
8 ounces mushrooms, rinsed and quartered
2 Roma tomatoes (6 oz. total), rinsed and quartered
1 head fennel (about 1 lb.; optional), rinsed, stalks trimmed, and chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon black peppercorns

Trim and discard root end from leek; split leek in half lengthwise and rinse well under running water, flipping layers to release grit. Coarsely chop leek and place in an 8- to 10-quart pan. Add onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, tomatoes, fennel, parsley, thyme, oregano, peppercorns, and enough water to cover vegetables (about 2 qt.). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours, adding water as needed to keep vegetables barely covered. Line a colander with a layer of cheesecloth (or use a large, fine wire strainer); set over a large bowl. Pour stock mixture into colander and drain vegetables well; discard vegetables. You should have about 8 cups stock. If you have less, thin with water; if more, boil, uncovered, until reduced to that amount.

Yield: 8 cups
Serving Size: 1 C.
Calories: 18
Fat: .1g
Fiber: .9g